Jahlil Okafor was part of the gold-medal winning U19 U.S. team. (FIBA Photo)

“(Coach K) was at every game, he was the only head coach that was really following Jahlil all over the place,” Irvin said. “If (fellow Mac Irvin Fire player Cliff Alexander) was sitting out it would only be Coach K watching that game. In my mind Duke has a really good chance to land (Okafor). Coach K has done a good job of recruiting him.”

And then came the clincher from Irvin, saying that Duke has a “great chance” to get Jones. And if that’s the case, we’re likely to see Okafor heading to Duke too, given that both players have mentioned time and again that they want to play together collegiately.

Is all that’s needed now is a rubber stamp? It seems that way, but Okafor’s father, Chuck, told the newspaper earlier in the week that there’s no timeline for a decision.

“Duke has been doing a great job recruiting them, just like everyone else is,” the elder Okafor said. “I don't know what Jahlil and Tyus are gonna do at this point, so for anyone else to say they do is far-fetched. They are still at a standstill.”